Adhesive tape applying machine for use with a stretch wrapper

ABSTRACT

An adhesive tape applying machine includes two first power sources secured in vertical position, a moving rod joined to output rods of the first power sources at two ends, a second power source connected to the moving rod with an output rod being displaceable in a horizontal direction, a supporting seat joined to the output shaft of the second power source, and an adhesive tape applying mechanism, which is supported on a lower end portion of the supporting seat, and which will apply adhesive tape on an object when it is pressed against and displaced relative to the object; the machine is positioned next to a stretch wrapper such that after the stretch wrapper winds a plastic film around an object, adhesive tape will be stuck on the object and a tail end portion of the plastic film with the adhesive tape applying machine.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation patent application of co-pending Ser.No. 11/142,286, filed on 2 Jun. 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an adhesive tape applying machine, moreparticularly one, which will apply adhesive tape on an object when it ispressed against and displaced relative to the object, and which ispositioned next to a stretch wrapper for applying adhesive tape to anobject and a tail end portion of a plastic film, which is wound aroundthe object by means of the stretch wrapper, thus smoothing and fixingthe tail end portion of the plastic film.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Stretch wrappers are very convenient packing machines, which are used towind a plastic film around an object or a group of objects stacked on apallet. A stretch wrapper includes a main unit, and a rotary platform.The main unit has a roll of plastic film thereon, and a cutter forcutting the plastic film. Thus, a plastic film will be wound around anobject by means of actuating both the main unit and the rotary platformwhen the object is supported on the rotary platform; the cutter of themain unit will cut the plastic film after the winding process isfinished. After the cutting action, a tail end portion of the plasticfilm is prone to project from the object and move around. Consequently,an electronic sensing and positioning equipment in the warehouse willmake mistakes because of the projecting tail end portion of the plasticfilm around the object.

Conventionally, the tail end portion of the plastic film is manuallyadhered to the object to prevent such a mistake from happening. In lightof the fact that time and labor can be saved if automatic adhesive tapeapplying machines are used to adhere the tail end portion of the plasticfilm on the object instead of hands, an adhesive tape applying machineis made available by the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a main object of the invention to provide an adhesive tapeapplying machine for use with a stretch wrapper to overcome theabove-mentioned problem. The adhesive tape applying machine includes twofirst power sources secured in vertical position, a moving rod joined tooutput rods of the first power sources at two ends, a second powersource connected to the moving rod with an output rod being displaceablein a horizontal direction, a supporting seat joined to the output shaftof the second power source, and an adhesive tape applying mechanism,which is supported on a lower end portion of the supporting seat, andwhich will apply adhesive tape on an object when it is pressed againstand displaced relative to the object. The machine is positioned next toa stretch wrapper such that after the stretch wrapper winds a plasticfilm around an object, adhesive tape will be stuck on the object and atail end portion of the plastic film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by referring to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a stretch wrapper and the first preferredembodiment of an adhesive tape applying machine in the invention,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the first preferred embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a side view of the stretch wrapper and the first preferredembodiment,

FIG. 4 is a plan of the adhesive tape applying mechanism,

FIG. 5 is a view of the invention being used in the first way (1),

FIG. 6 is a view of the invention being used in the first way (2),

FIG. 7 is a view of the invention being used in the second way,

FIG. 8 is a front view of the second preferred embodiment,

FIG. 9 is a view of the second embodiment being used (1),

FIG. 10 is a view of the second embodiment being used (2),

FIG. 11 is a side view of the second type of adhesive tape applyingmechanism in the present invention,

FIG. 12 is a view of the second type of adhesive tape applying mechanismbeing used (1), and

FIG. 13 is a view of the second type of adhesive tape applying mechanismbeing used (2).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a first preferred embodiment of an adhesivetape applying machine 1 is positioned next to a stretch wrapper (B) suchthat after the stretch wrapper (B) makes a plastic film wound around anobject (A), an adhesive tape can be applied to fix a tail end portion ofthe plastic film on the object (A) by means of the adhesive tapeapplying machine 1.

The adhesive tape applying machine 1 includes a frame 10, two firstpower sources 11, a moving rod 12, a second power source 13, asupporting seat 14, two linear rails 15, and an adhesive tape applyingmechanism 16.

The two first power sources 11 are held in position next to respectiveones of two vertical portions of the frame 10 with output rods 111thereof pointing upwards.

The moving rod 12 is joined to the output rods 111 of the first powersources 11 in a horizontal position, and it is connected to, and up anddown displaceable relative to two secured vertical guide rods 121 at twoends thereof.

The second power source 13 is connected to the moving rod 12 in ahorizontal position such that an output rod 131 thereof is displaceablein the horizontal direction.

The linear rails 15 are secured on the moving rod 12. The supportingseat 14 is joined to the output rod 131 of the second power source 13,and it supported on the linear rails 15 such that when the second powersource 13 functions, the supporting seat 14 will be moved along thelinear rails 15.

Referring to FIG. 4, the adhesive tape applying mechanism 16 includes aframe, an air cylinder 2, a roller and arm assembly 3, a cutter 5, amoving arm 6, and an elastic element 7. The frame of the adhesive tapeapplying mechanism 16 is supported on a lower end of other side of thesupporting seat 14 to face the object (A), and it can be in a verticalposition or alternatively it can be in a horizontal position. The aircylinder 2 is secured on the frame. The roller and arm assembly 3includes a co-moving arm 31, and a smoothing roller 32; the co-movingarm 31 is pivoted to a piston rod 21 of the air cylinder 2 at a firstend, and pivoted to the frame at a middle portion thereof; the smoothingroller 32 is supported on a second end of the co-moving arm 31. Thecutter 5 is supported on the frame for cutting the adhesive tape. Thesmoothing roller 32 will touch a blade 51 of the cutter 5 when thepiston rod 21 is in the withdrawn position. The moving arm 6 is pivotedto the frame at a first end thereof while a second smoothing roller 61is supported on a second end of the moving arm 6. The elastic element 7is secured to the frame at one end, and connected to a portion of themoving arm 6 that is between the first and the second ends.

Referring to FIGS. 5, and 6, after a plastic film is wound around theobject (A) by means of the stretch wrapper (B), first the plastic filmis cut, and the adhesive tape applying mechanism 16 is moved towards,and pressed against the object (A) together with the supporting seat 14by means of the second power source 13; thus, the adhesive tape isapplied on the tail end portion of the plastic film on the object (A).Then, the first power sources 11 are actuated to move the adhesive tapeapplying mechanism 16 from a higher place to a lower one when thesmoothing rollers 32 and 61 are pressed against the object (A).Consequently, the tail end portion of the plastic film is fixed on theobject (A), and smoothed out.

Referring to FIG. 7, which shows another way to use the first preferredembodiment, instead of moving the adhesive tape applying mechanism 16from a higher place to a lower one, the rotary platform (A1) of thestretch wrapper (B) is actuated to cause revolution of the object (A)after a plastic film is wound around the object (A), and cut, and afterthe adhesive tape applying mechanism 16 is moved towards the object (A)together with the supporting seat 14 to apply the adhesive tape on thetail end portion of the plastic film on the object (A). Thus, the tailend portion of the plastic film is fixed on the object (A), and smoothedout.

Referring to FIGS. 8. 9, and 10, a second preferred embodiment of anadhesive tape applying machine 1 is provided, which includes:

a frame (10 a);

two vertical guide rods (121 a);

two moving rods (12 a); each of the moving rods (12 a) being connectedto the vertical guide rods (121 a) at two ends thereof; the moving rods(12 a) being adjustable in height thereof;

two power sources (13 a); the power sources (13 a) being connected torespective ones of the moving rods (12 a) in a horizontal position suchthat output shafts (131 a) thereof are displaceable in the horizontaldirection;

linear rails (15 a) secured on the moving rods (12 a);

two supporting seats (14 a) joined to respective ones of the outputshafts (131 a) of the power sources (13 a); the supporting seats (14 a)being supported on the linear rails (15 a) such that when the powersource (13 a) function, the supporting seats (14 a) will be moved alongthe linear rails (15 a); and

two adhesive tape applying mechanisms (16 a), which are the same as thatof the first preferred embodiment, and supported on respective ones ofthe supporting seats (14 a).

After a plastic film is wound around an object (A), and cut by means ofthe stretch wrapper (B), the object (A) is first conveyed to pass theadhesive tape applying machine 1. When the object (A) is passing themachine 1, the adhesive tape applying mechanisms (16 a) are movedtowards, and pressed against the object (A) by means of the powersources (13 a); thus, adhesive tapes are applied on the tail end portionof the plastic film around on the object (A). Therefore, the tail endportion of the plastic film will be fixed on the object (A), andsmoothed out after the object (A) passes the adhesive tape applyingmachine 1.

Referring to FIGS. 11, and 12, which shows an improvement on the firstpreferred embodiment, wherein the supporting seat 14 is further formedwith a horizontal extension plate portion 141 at the lower end, and aturning disk 142 is supported on the horizontal extension plate portion141, and the frame of the adhesive tape applying mechanism 16 is hung onand pivoted to a shaft portion 143 on the turning disk 142; thus, ifouter sides of object (A) aren't flat, the object (A) will make theadhesive tape applying mechanism 16 change orientation according to theshape of the object (A) when the adhesive tape applying machine is usedto apply adhesive tape on the object (A). Consequently, the smoothingrollers 32 and 61 will touch the object (A) closely, and the tail endportion of the plastic film will be effectively smoothed and fixed onthe object (A). Furthermore, the frame of the adhesive tape applyingmechanism 16 has curved slots 161 on two sides of the turning disk 142,and the horizontal extension plate portion 141 has two stoppingprotrusions 144, which are passed through respective ones of the curvedslots 161; thus, angular displacement of the adhesive tape applyingmechanism 16 will be within a certain range.

In addition, the present invention can be equipped with several adhesivetape applying mechanisms of the above structure instead of single one tosuit the width of an object to be packaged with both the stretch wrapper(B) and the adhesive tape applying machine; thus, the tail end portionof the plastic film wound around the object will be effectively smoothedand fixed on the object.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A stretch wrap and adhesive tape system for stretchwrapping a plastic film around an object to be wrapped and securingadhesive tape to said stretch wrapped object comprising: (a) a stretchwrapping mechanism for wrapping said object with said plastic film; and(b) an adhesive tape application mechanism coupled to said stretchwrapping mechanism and displaced therefrom, said adhesive tapeapplication mechanism being displaceably mounted on an adhesive tapeframe including a first power source for displacing said adhesive tapeapplication mechanism in a vertical direction and a second power sourcefor displacing said adhesive tape mechanism in a horizontal directionfor contacting said plastic film wrapped object, said adhesive tapeapplication mechanism being displaced in said vertical directionsubsequent to said adhesive tape mechanism being displaced intohorizontal contact with said wrapped object.
 10. The stretch wrap andadhesive tape applying system as claimed in claim 9, wherein thesupporting seat is formed with a horizontal extension plate portion at alower end and a rotationally displaceable disk is supported on thehorizontal extension plate portion, said adhesive tape applyingmechanism being hung on and pivoted to a shaft portion formed on therotationally displaceable disk, said adhesive tape applying mechanismhaving curved slots on two sides of the rotationally displaceable disk,and the horizontal extension plate portion having two stoppingprotrusions passing through respective ones of the curved slots.
 11. Thestretch wrap and adhesive tape applying system as claimed in claim 9,which includes: an air cylinder secured to said adhesive tape frame; aco-moving arm, the co-moving arm being pivoted to a piston rod of theair cylinder at a first end thereof, and pivoted to the frame at amiddle portion thereof, the co-moving arm having a second end; a firstsmoothing roller supported on the second end of the co-moving arm; acutter supported on the frame for cutting an adhesive tape; the firstsmoothing roller normally touching a blade of the cutter; a moving armpivoted to the adhesive tape frame at a first end thereof, the movingarm having a second smoothing roller supported on a second end thereof;and an elastic element secured to the adhesive tape frame at one end,and connected to a portion of the moving arm that is between the firstand the second ends of the moving arm.
 12. The stretch wrap and adhesivetape system as recited in claim 9 where said adhesive tape frameincludes: (a) a pair of vertically directed frame members and a pair ofvertical guide rods; and (b) a vertically displaceable rod coupled tosaid adhesive tape mechanism for vertically displacing said adhesivetape application mechanism.
 13. The stretch wrap and adhesive tapesystem as recited in claim 9 where said adhesive tape frame includes;(a) a horizontally displaceable rod coupled to said adhesive tapeapplication mechanism for horizontally displacing said adhesive tapeapplication mechanism; (b) a pair of linear rails secured to saidhorizontally displaceable rod; and (c) a supporting seat secured to saidadhesive tape application mechanism, said supporting seat beingdisplaceable on said linear rails.
 14. A stretch wrap and adhesive tapesystem for stretch wrapping a plastic film around an object to bewrapped and securing adhesive tape to said stretch wrapped objectcomprising: (a) a stretch wrapping mechanism for wrapping said objectwith said plastic film; and (b) an adhesive tape application mechanismcoupled to said stretch wrapping mechanism and displaced therefrom, saidadhesive tape application mechanism being displaceably mounted on anadhesive tape frame including a power source for displacing saidadhesive tape mechanism in a horizontal direction for contacting saidplastic film wrapped object, said adhesive tape application mechanismbeing engaged subsequent to said adhesive tape mechanism being displacedinto horizontal contact with said wrapped object.
 15. The stretch wrapand adhesive tape applying system as claimed in claim 14, wherein thesupporting seat is formed with a horizontal extension plate portion at alower end, and a turning disk is supported on the horizontal extensionplate portion, and the adhesive tape applying mechanism is hung on andpivoted to a shaft portion formed on the turning disk, and the adhesivetape applying mechanism has curved slots on two sides of the turningdisk, and the horizontal extension plate portion has two stoppingprotrusions passing through respective ones of the curved slots.
 16. Thestretch wrap and adhesive tape applying system as recited in claim 15,including a plurality of adhesive tape applying mechanisms verticallydisplaced each from the other for contacting said object at a pluralityof discrete vertical heights.
 17. The stretch wrap and adhesive tapeapplying system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the adhesive tapeapplying system includes: an air cylinder secured on the frame; aco-moving arm, the co-moving arm being pivoted to a piston rod of theair cylinder at a first end thereof, and pivoted to the frame at amiddle portion thereof; the co-moving arm having a second end; a firstsmoothing roller supported on the second end of the co-moving arm; acutter supported on the frame for cutting an adhesive tape, the firstsmoothing roller normally touching a blade of the cutter; a moving armpivoted to the frame at a first end thereof, the moving arm having asecond smoothing roller supported on a second end thereof; and anelastic element secured to the frame at one end, and connected to aportion of the moving arm that is between the first and the second endsof the moving arm.
 18. The stretch wrap and adhesive tape applyingsystem as recited in claim 14, including a plurality of adhesive tapeapplying mechanisms vertically displaced each from the other forcontacting said object at a plurality of discrete vertical heights.